Extraordinary Canadians: Stories from the Heart of Our Nation

Extraordinary Canadians: Stories from the Heart of Our Nation

  • Downloads:8254
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2021-06-07 10:52:52
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Peter Mansbridge
  • ISBN:1982134526
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

From Peter Mansbridge, the beloved former anchor of CBC’s The National, and Mark Bulgutch, former CBC producer, comes a collection of first-person stories about remarkable Canadians who embody the values of our great nation—kindness, compassion, courage, and freedom—and inspire us to do the same。

In this timely and heartwarming volume of personal stories, Peter Mansbridge and former CBC producer Mark Bulgutch bring together inspiring Canadians from across the country, who in their own way, are making Canada a better place for all。

Hear Gitxsan activist Cindy Blackstock describe her childhood in northern British Columbia where she straddled two communities—Indigenous and non-Indigenous—and her subsequent fight for equitable health care for all children as the executive director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society。 Meet Matt Devlin, the US broadcaster who found a new home in Canada when he got a job with the Toronto Raptors, and read how he helped calm the crowd when a gunman began shooting in Nathan Phillips Square after the team’s NBA championship win。 From the young woman living with Crohn’s disease—and proudly modeling her ostomy bag—to the rabbi whose family fled Nazi Germany—and who now gives the benediction on Parliament Hill each Remembrance Day—Extraordinary Canadians celebrates the people who have overcome adversity and broken down barriers to champion the rights and freedoms of everyone who calls Canada home。

Featuring voices from all walks of life—advocates, politicians, doctors, veterans, immigrants, business leaders, and more—this collection gets to the heart of what it means to be Canadian。 These stories will change the way you see your country and make you fall in love with Canada all over again。

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Reviews

Gayle Parker

Waterloo region's One Book One Community 2021 selection。 What I like about reading the annual OBOC book selection is that I read books that I never would have selected otherwise。 Waterloo region's One Book One Community 2021 selection。 What I like about reading the annual OBOC book selection is that I read books that I never would have selected otherwise。 。。。more

Al Kruzins

FantasticMost people profiled in the book are not big names or celebrities But have done incredible things or performed amazing public service or had interesting lives Will make you laugh and cry and make one feel proud to be a Canadian

Kelly

I had no expectations for this book other than expecting Mansbridge to have something to say, and he did。 This is not the usual list of extraordinary Canadians。 These are stories of real people, real Canadians and how they made a difference。 Well written and completely unexpected。

Lorraine

So well put together! This book made me very proud to say I am Canadian!🇨🇦

Jillian Alexandra

4。5/5 stars。 This book was unexpected but in a great way! I was fully ready to recognize many names of the people highlighted but it was actually a compilation of "ordinary" canadians and the extraordinary things they have accomplished。 Each story was so interesting and engaging and covered a smattering of issues from women's rights, LGBTQ, war, farming and indigenous rights。 I felt very proud reading about fellow Canadians。 The pace of the stories was also great, a compilation of short autobiog 4。5/5 stars。 This book was unexpected but in a great way! I was fully ready to recognize many names of the people highlighted but it was actually a compilation of "ordinary" canadians and the extraordinary things they have accomplished。 Each story was so interesting and engaging and covered a smattering of issues from women's rights, LGBTQ, war, farming and indigenous rights。 I felt very proud reading about fellow Canadians。 The pace of the stories was also great, a compilation of short autobiographical stories。 The stories felt super personable, I felt like I got to really know the person。 I really enjoyed reading about Nadine Caron, the first female indigenous surgeon in Canada, and Manny Kohli, the founder of Matt & Nat who immigrated from India。 A great read for inspiring hope and change。 。。。more

Fern Watson

3。5 stars - I enjoyed reading about these truly extraordinary Canadians, none of whom I'd ever heard of before。 There was a good diversity of people represented - about half male and half female, some Canadian-born and some immigrants。 The people profiled were all humanitarians in some way or another, and they all believed 100% in the power of education to make a good life, and pursued it with vigour。 Mansbridge's writing was good but not great (hence the 3。5) but it was good enough to make me w 3。5 stars - I enjoyed reading about these truly extraordinary Canadians, none of whom I'd ever heard of before。 There was a good diversity of people represented - about half male and half female, some Canadian-born and some immigrants。 The people profiled were all humanitarians in some way or another, and they all believed 100% in the power of education to make a good life, and pursued it with vigour。 Mansbridge's writing was good but not great (hence the 3。5) but it was good enough to make me want to read his earlier book called "One on One"。 I will add it to my list! 。。。more

Donna

‘Extraordinary Canadians’ is filled with the stories of ordinary people who have made exceptional contributions to their communities, country and beyond。 It is a fast, easy and inspiring read。 This series of short, first-person narratives provided me with a much-needed diversion from the current COVID-centred news。 (Spoiler Alert - COVID is mentioned in one of the stories — but even there, it is seen through the eyes of optimism and determination for better days to come)。 Extraordinary Canadians ‘Extraordinary Canadians’ is filled with the stories of ordinary people who have made exceptional contributions to their communities, country and beyond。 It is a fast, easy and inspiring read。 This series of short, first-person narratives provided me with a much-needed diversion from the current COVID-centred news。 (Spoiler Alert - COVID is mentioned in one of the stories — but even there, it is seen through the eyes of optimism and determination for better days to come)。 Extraordinary Canadians is a brilliant reminder of the incredible diversity of our country。 It also speaks loudly to the remarkable power that each of us possesses to turn vision into reality。 I highly recommend this book to Canadians and non-Canadians alike。 。。。more

Holly Melissa

My 11 year old son picked out this book for me, all by himself, for Christmas! 😊 I’ve been taking my time reading it, being sure to pay attention to each chapter individually in an attempt to really soak up the information。 I will admit that when I first heard of this book I made a mistake in assuming that ‘extraordinary’ means famous。 I was expecting a book where we would be getting to know a more normal or relatable side of a bunch of people whose names we have already heard 100s of times, but My 11 year old son picked out this book for me, all by himself, for Christmas! 😊 I’ve been taking my time reading it, being sure to pay attention to each chapter individually in an attempt to really soak up the information。 I will admit that when I first heard of this book I made a mistake in assuming that ‘extraordinary’ means famous。 I was expecting a book where we would be getting to know a more normal or relatable side of a bunch of people whose names we have already heard 100s of times, but I couldn’t have been more wrong, and happily so! This book details the lives, accomplishments, hardships, and triumphs of everyday, but truly extraordinary Canadians。 These people are just a few of the many unsung heroes of our country, and their stories deserve to be heard。 This is a diverse, inclusive, inspiring collection that represents the whole of Canada and I believe it is a book that all Canadians should take the time to read。 It would be a great resource/study material for high school social studies classes! 。。。more

Connie Paddle

AN extremely good book。 I enjoy hearing stories about Canadians since we are not braggerts like our neighbours to the south。

Joanne

During this time in the world, it’s uplifting to read this collection and know there are so many wonderful people doing so much for my country。 Every single person is really interesting as well。 I especially liked the format, whereby each chapter reads like a personal essay; the authors are nowhere to be seen and their voices never intrude into the narrative。 I needed a book like this right now。

Kelly Pratt

This collection introduces us to Canadians from coast to coast to coast and all walks of life。 An exceptional read about Canadians who are extraordinary in their own way。 One phrase that struck the right cord was when one of the individuals referenced our citizenship as New Canadians and Always Canadians - a very inclusive term in my opinion。

Katie

For me this book was amazing! I love reading inspiring stories and to know these fantastic humans are Canadian is icing on the cake。 I feel like there is a story for everyone, a connection for every single person。 Do yourself a favour and read this book。

Dale Plotzki

A solid read。 Mansbridge goes to great lengths to highlight many diverse voices of incredible individuals in their attempts to define the future/present of what it means to be Canadian。 What's interesting is that most of these people have made major contributions to our country, but are still not very well known in the public sphere。 This was a very educational and impactful read at a turning point for our nation。 A solid read。 Mansbridge goes to great lengths to highlight many diverse voices of incredible individuals in their attempts to define the future/present of what it means to be Canadian。 What's interesting is that most of these people have made major contributions to our country, but are still not very well known in the public sphere。 This was a very educational and impactful read at a turning point for our nation。 。。。more

Elaine Cougler

This is a very positive book, full of information about a number of ordinary Canadians who have made a difference to their communities, their country and/or the world。 I quite enjoyed the positive tone Mansbridge effects throughout his stories of the 17 amazing people he has chosen to feature。 It is truly a newsman's insightful summary of these people。 This is a very positive book, full of information about a number of ordinary Canadians who have made a difference to their communities, their country and/or the world。 I quite enjoyed the positive tone Mansbridge effects throughout his stories of the 17 amazing people he has chosen to feature。 It is truly a newsman's insightful summary of these people。 。。。more

Elyse

I read this one story by story in between other books and, although I had really been looking forward to it, didn’t find it overly impressive。 I think I was hoping for more of the historical stories of Canadians that are covered in the introduction but the book very much centred on less well known Canadians。 While I agree they had some incredible stories, it just wasn’t really what I expected。

Dave White

Two I knew of but didn't really know their stories。 The rest I hadn't heard of and they are all remarkable。 Books about people of this caliber should be flowing out and leave the reality tv stars to wander in the wilderness。 Two I knew of but didn't really know their stories。 The rest I hadn't heard of and they are all remarkable。 Books about people of this caliber should be flowing out and leave the reality tv stars to wander in the wilderness。 。。。more

Nancy

Great read! Wonderful stories。

Terri

What a terrific read! The book highlighted Canadians that have accomplished so many things, usually their passion and innate abilities for the good of others。 If you’re looking for some positivity in these times, this is a good one!

Winnie Quinn

Inspiring。 A treasure to read。 I am passing it on to my daughter and her daughters。 It may very well inspire my granddaughters。 I hope so。 W。 Quinn

Sarah

American heroes? They get movies made about them and appearances on prime-time TV。 However, how much do you know about Canadian heroes? What do you know about the Canadian feminists pushing to break the glass ceiling or the human rights advocates working to build a more equitable Canada? We are blessed with so many extraordinary Canadians whose work we have unknowingly benefited from。 Every chapter of this book presents you with a unique journey in a different part of Canada。 The stories are ins American heroes? They get movies made about them and appearances on prime-time TV。 However, how much do you know about Canadian heroes? What do you know about the Canadian feminists pushing to break the glass ceiling or the human rights advocates working to build a more equitable Canada? We are blessed with so many extraordinary Canadians whose work we have unknowingly benefited from。 Every chapter of this book presents you with a unique journey in a different part of Canada。 The stories are inspiring and their diversity brings to life the multicultural reality of what it means to be Canadian。 This is an easy, feel-good read that will help get you through the Covid slump。 。。。more

Jill Rebryna

Brilliantly written

Linda

Love Peter Mansbridge and his idea to write a book about everyday Canadians telling their own stories! Very inspiring。

Desiree

Each and every person featured in the book is extraordinary and deserves to be featured, but I just didn't care for the writing style。 It seemed flat and there was little emotion, read more like a textbook - a more expressive style would have brought more life to those featured。 Each and every person featured in the book is extraordinary and deserves to be featured, but I just didn't care for the writing style。 It seemed flat and there was little emotion, read more like a textbook - a more expressive style would have brought more life to those featured。 。。。more

Emily Sams

A relatively quick read jam packed with numerous intriguing stories of diverse Canadians

Ed Goddard

An excellent book giving account of Canadians who excelled and made a huge contribution for the country in various fields ie。 culture ,human rights, politics, education, disability awareness etc。, but may not be well known by the general public。

Sophie Tonet

Every chapter was compelling and interesting in a different way。 To name a few, Mansbridge and Bulgutch managed to capture race, LGBTQ+, environmental, international relations, farming, and generational issues, successes, and barriers (old and ever-present) that shape Canada。 I was just as interested in the chapter about Hope for Wildlife as I was the war in Afghanistan。 The authors do not shy away from speaking to the systemic issues Canada still possesses, but highlights the patchwork of diver Every chapter was compelling and interesting in a different way。 To name a few, Mansbridge and Bulgutch managed to capture race, LGBTQ+, environmental, international relations, farming, and generational issues, successes, and barriers (old and ever-present) that shape Canada。 I was just as interested in the chapter about Hope for Wildlife as I was the war in Afghanistan。 The authors do not shy away from speaking to the systemic issues Canada still possesses, but highlights the patchwork of diverse folk that make Canada, Canada。 A joy to read。 。。。more

Veronica

An okay book which may be needed at this time。 But I found that in many ways, each person portrayed is similar to each other。 It's a Canadian Chicken Soup book for the pandemic。 It's positive and uplifting with the successes。 An okay book which may be needed at this time。 But I found that in many ways, each person portrayed is similar to each other。 It's a Canadian Chicken Soup book for the pandemic。 It's positive and uplifting with the successes。 。。。more

Theresa Hoadley Vail

I really enjoyed these stories written by extraordinary Canadians who have overcome adversity and disabilities but didn't let it define them ,they went on to make it better for other people!! I really enjoyed these stories written by extraordinary Canadians who have overcome adversity and disabilities but didn't let it define them ,they went on to make it better for other people!! 。。。more

Pat Carter

This book is in the interview style of Peter Mansbridge。

Margaret Neale

Interesting compilation of stories about lesser known Canadians who have accomplished/are accomplishing meaningful contributions to life in Canada, sometimes under difficult circumstances。